Since marijuana is illegal for minors in Colorado, I’m not sure I understand the validity of this argument. Because something is potentially harmful for youth, that does not mean adults should be stricken of their rights. Instead of blaming voters and the state, perhaps parents could simply make sure their kids stay away from marijuana until they are of legal age. We could use the “What about the children?” argument for many, many things in society. If more children are smoking pot in Colorado now, it’s a parenting issue and not a legal one.

Graham Ulmer, Gig Harbor, Wa.

This letter was published in the Jan. 3 edition.

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My dad used to give me two warnings when I was a youth back in the 1930s:

First, never argue with a policeman under any circumstance, but always follow his requests. Then take your objections, if any, to the officer in charge at the police station.

Second, never get close to a mob or any large demonstration, for large groups often get far out of control of their leaders very quickly. Humans tend to breed a unique “mob psychology” when they group together. Also, vandals quickly join, using this as a cover for their main objectives, to loot and harm property or other people.

Is this still good advice?

Fletcher Walters Jr., Highlands Ranch

This letter was published in the Dec. 11 edition.

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Regarding efforts to ramp up anti-marijuana education campaigns in Colorado, a little perspective is in order. Like any drug, marijuana can be harmful if abused. However, the biggest drug threat facing youth is prescription drug abuse. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, drug overdose death rates have never been higher. Most are caused by prescription drugs. The problem is so bad that drug overdose deaths have surpassed motor-vehicle crashes as a cause of death from unintentional injury. Marijuana has never been shown to cause an overdose death.

Alcohol poisoning kills more people each year than all illegal drugs combined. Gov. John Hickenlooper is actively promoting craft beer in the governor’s mansion while simultaneously calling for an anti-marijuana campaign [for young people]. By all means, educate youth about the dangers of marijuana. Just make sure it’s part of broader reality-based drug education and not a revived culture war. The medicine cabinet at home and the craft beer flowing in the governor’s mansion both pose greater threats to Colorado youth than newly legal marijuana.

Robert Sharpe, Arlington, Va.

The writer is a policy analyst for Common Sense for Drug Policy in Washington, D.C.

This letter was published in the March 30 edition.

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Officers with the Denver Police Department’s homeless outreach unit check on a woman on the 16th Street Mall. Police say they average 1,000 contacts with the homeless every three months. (RJ Sangosti, Denver Post file)

I applaud The Denver Post for publishing highlights of the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative’s recent point-in-time survey regarding Denver’s homeless population. However, one important number was omitted: 921. That’s the number of youths, ages 13 to 24, who reported experiencing homelessness in Denver. The number skyrocketed by 19 percent from last year’s count (777).

We cannot forget about the youths of our city who experience homelessness. These young individuals have experienced trauma, abuse and neglect. Those who didn’t at home do now. It’s a terrifying world on the streets.

Did you know that 96 percent of youths who experience homelessness experienced physical abuse at the hands of a caretaker? That 20 percent or more suffer from an untreated mental illness? Sadly, nearly 25 percent of youth experiencing homelessness have experienced sexual assault while living on the streets and 7 percent have engaged in survival sex for food or money.

Kimberle Easton, Denver

The writer is chief executive of Urban Peak, which provides services for homeless and runaway youth.

This letter was published in the July 19 edition.

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Guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 150 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address, day and evening phone numbers, and may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.

To reach the Denver Post editorial page by phone: 303-954-1331

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